include
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to contain, as a whole does parts or any part or element.
The so-called “complete breakfast” in this ad included juice, milk, cereal, toast, eggs, and bacon.
The anniversary edition of the game will include the expansion packs and DLC.
- Synonyms:
- embody
-
to place in an aggregate, class, category, or the like: Hawks and eagles are included in the family “Accipitridae.”
Please include me in any future discussions.
Hawks and eagles are included in the family “Accipitridae.”
-
to contain as a subordinate element; involve as a factor: Schooling should include friendship, fun, and laughter, in addition to rigorous study.
Our comprehensive approach to health includes such aspects as resilience, resources, and quality of life.
Schooling should include friendship, fun, and laughter, in addition to rigorous study.
verb
-
to have as contents or part of the contents; be made up of or contain
-
to add as part of something else; put in as part of a set, group, or category
-
to contain as a secondary or minor ingredient or element
Related Words
Include, comprehend, comprise, embrace imply containing parts of a whole. To include is to contain as a part or member, or among the parts and members, of a whole: The list includes many new names. To comprehend is to have within the limits, scope, or range of references, as either a part or the whole number of items concerned: The plan comprehends several projects. To comprise is to consist of, as the various parts serving to make up the whole: This genus comprises 50 species. Embrace emphasizes the extent or assortment of that which is included: The report embraces a great variety of subjects.
Other Word Forms
- includable adjective
- includible adjective
- preinclude verb (used with object)
- reinclude verb (used with object)
- unincludable adjective
- unincludible adjective
Etymology
Origin of include
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin inclūdere “to shut in,” equivalent to in- in- 2 + -clūdere, combining form of claudere “to shut”; close
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Below is a map of bans that have been proposed or passed, though it may not include every such proposal that exists.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
In 1981, he was elected International Badminton Federation president, where he led the successful campaign to include badminton at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026
Although fossils had previously been discovered in eastern Yunnan, they were limited to algae and did not include animal remains.
From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026
A few of the non-tech names that have more than doubled include gold miner Newmont Corp., oil exploration firm APA Corp. and Dow component Caterpillar Inc.
From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026
But Naomi has always wanted to include everyone and have fun together.
From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
